Great Awakening

The Great Awakening refers to a series of religious revivals in the American colonies during the 18th century, primarily between the 1730s and 1770s. It was characterized by intense emotional preaching and a focus on personal faith over established church practices. Key figures included Jonathan Edwards and George Whitefield, who encouraged a direct, personal relationship with God. This movement significantly impacted the cultural and social landscape, promoting individualism, a questioning of authority, and the notion of religious freedom, ultimately contributing to the broader context of American identity leading up to the American Revolution.